By Aggrey Baba
President Yoweri Museveni, the NRM party Chairman has reportedly given the go-ahead to National Resistance Movement members who lost in the party primaries to contest as independents in next year’s elections.
The decision followed a closed-door meeting between the President and a group of NRM MPs who lost in the primaries, held on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Arua.
The group’s chairperson, Anthony Esenu, has told the media that the President encouraged them to proceed with their political ambitions, noting that their participation could help the ruling party reduce opposition victories in some constituencies.
According to Esenu, Museveni advised that in areas where the opposition remains strong, independent aspirants and official flag bearers should meet to agree on a single candidate to avoid splitting the NRM vote.
In areas where the opposition poses little or no threat, the President reportedly said both camps could freely contest, since the eventual winner would still advance NRM interests.
The guidance has been interpreted by some as a strategic move to retain parliamentary dominance ahead of the 2026 elections, while maintaining internal unity among disgruntled members who had threatened to quit the party.
The Arua meeting was attended by dozens of NRM primary losers from across the country who have since declared that they will appear on the ballot as independents. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
